CNN is betting big on Piers Morgan. The British journalist and TV host has been tapped to succeed Larry King as the network’s big time interview man, and to make sure everyone knows it, they lined up some heavy hitters for his first week in the chair. Sitting down with Oprah, George Clooney, and Howard Stern all in your first five days is a pretty sure way to get the word out. That, and doing a Friday Fives. Media blitz, complete.
To be honest, we were never big Larry King fans. We much prefer Charlie Rose and his mellow badassery to a skeleton in suspenders. But Piers brings some of that Rose-esque laid back omniscience to the table in his show, and has managed to get some pretty good stuff out of his first few guests. He even got our girl Kim Kardashian talking about her all-natural rack the other night while she stood next to a cardboard cutout of herself. That’s what we call journalism.
Check out Piers’ “Perfect For” picks below, and make sure to follow both him (@piersmorgan), and the show (@pierstonight) so you know what to tune in for. On our viewing list for next week – Kid Rock. That’s guaranteed to be quality television.
Piers’ “Perfect For” Picks
Friday/Saturday Drinks & Dinner
La Esquina Brasserie (114 Kenmare St.) – “Excellent tacos and even better margaritas.”
Celebrity Sightings
Waverly Inn (16 Bank St.) – “Because I’m English and there’s always someone to book at the table next to you (Kiefer anyone?).”
Eats With A View
A Voce Columbus (10 Columbus Circle – 3rd Floor) – “A safe bet that’s around the corner from the CNN studios. You can’t beat the view of Central Park.”
Chronic Brunch
Central Park Boathouse (E 72nd St. at Park Drive North) – “Because there’s no more beautiful setting in all of nyc and the food is surprisingly good.”
Neighborhood Hang
Bravo Gianni (230 East 63rd St.) – “Have the veal, it’s the best in the city.”
Piers’ Twitter People
@Lord_Sugar – Because everyone needs someone to beat up on.
@stevekrak – The insider’s inside guide to what the internets are really saying.
@brianstelter – Because he keeps @maddow honest.
@andersoncooper – Because he keeps everyone else honest.
@Oprah – Because everyone wants a little of her magic to rub off on them.
